Lily Of The Valley

Sticky Fingers

"Shhhh, your going to get us in trouble if you're too loud and wake him up Eli" Madeline whispered harshly 

"I'm sorry" He whispered as softly as he could "I was just really excited about eating the skittles"

Madeline sighed wearily "It's okay, just don't say anything and stand right here until I grab the skittles" 

She stepped away from the door frame and tip toed into their room.Her mom lay sleeping on her side while he lay snugly across her back.  The green package of skittle lay right in Madeline's line of vision on the bedside dresser. She dropped down on all fours, and crawled towards the dresser.  The TV light flickered onto the floor and across the walls. 

She reached her hand out and grabbed them. The crinkling of the plastic pounded the walls like gunshots in the dead of night. He stirred.  She froze. His eyes cracked open. She flattened her self to the ground and prayed that god would have mercy. He tussled the sheets with his movements once more. All was silent once again. 

 She crept along the floor until she reached the door frame, She rose to her feet, grabbed Eli's hand and pulled him along, back to their room.Eli squealed once they were back in their room and Madeline pulled out the bright green package. She placed one in his hand as she started to suck on her's. They're faces screwed up and their eyes watered. Sour. Like an unripe mulberry picked and eaten far too soon. 

As the sourness faded Madeline got an idea. "Eli" she said "stay right here, and remember; BE QUITE". He nodded his head vigorously.  She grabbed the plastic toy drum that was scratched and faded with age, and the green bag of skittles. When she reached the bathroom she turned the knob slowly. As the water trickled out she took a few skittles and rinsed the sour coating off. She took those few back to Eli and back to the bathroom she went. 

 She turned the corner and there he stood. He smiled at her.Then grabbed her arm and corralled her into the bathroom. The green skittle package lay on the floor forgotten, skittles sliding carelessly out of the bag onto the carpet, staining it with sweet, bright, sticky dye.